iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) Performance
IBB total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +23.2% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +34.7% total return
- 5 years
- +5.8% a year
- 10 years
- +9.1% a year
- Since first price
- +7.5% a year since 2001
IBB trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | IBB total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.6% | +0.6% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +9.9% | +9.9% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +21.1% | +21.1% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +23.2% | +23.1% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +34.7% | +34.4% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +80.3%+21.7%/yr | +79.1% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | +32.8%+5.8%/yr | +31.1% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +138.8%+9.1%/yr | +132.7% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +563.3%+13.4%/yr | +541.0% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| 20 years | +728.4%+11.2%/yr | +693.0% | +696.9%+10.9%/yr | +1,839.9%+16.0%/yr | +79.6%+3.0%/yr |
| Since inceptionFeb 9, 2001 | +544.3%+7.5%/yr | +516.7% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: IBB vs SPY
From Feb 9, 2001: IBB grew to $64,429, SPY to $91,263.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
IBB returns by calendar year
18 of 24 full years positive. Best 2013 (+65.5%), worst 2002 (−45.8%). 2026 is year to date.
IBB annual returns table
| Year | IBB | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +23.2% | −9.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +28.0% | −21.2% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | −2.4% | −12.1% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +3.8% | −17.9% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −13.7% | −30.5% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | +1.0% | −17.5% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +26.0% | −23.6% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +25.4% | −15.3% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −9.5% | −26.6% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +21.1% | −10.5% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | −21.4% | −26.1% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | +11.6% | −27.3% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +33.8% | −21.2% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +65.5% | −9.8% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +32.1% | −12.8% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | +11.7% | −22.7% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +14.8% | −18.9% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +15.2% | −20.7% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | −12.3% | −32.9% | −36.8% | −41.7% | +7.9% |
| 2007 | +4.5% | −10.5% | +5.1% | +19.0% | +6.6% |
| 2006 | +0.7% | −20.5% | +15.8% | +7.1% | +3.9% |
| 2005 | +2.4% | −15.4% | +4.8% | +1.6% | +2.3% |
| 2004 | +4.8% | −27.3% | +10.7% | +10.5% | +3.8% |
| 2003 | +45.8% | −17.3% | +28.2% | +49.7% | — |
| 2002 | −45.8% | −54.5% | −21.6% | −37.4% | — |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
IBB largest drawdowns
Now 4.2% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 5, 2001 | −62.8% | Jul 10, 2002 | Apr 27, 2011 | 1.1 years | 9.9 years |
| Aug 9, 2021 | −39.8% | Jun 16, 2022 | Jan 7, 2026 | 10 months | 4.4 years |
| Jul 20, 2015 | −39.2% | Jun 27, 2016 | May 11, 2020 | 11 months | 4.8 years |
| Feb 12, 2001 | −34.7% | Apr 3, 2001 | May 22, 2001 | 50 days | 3 months |
| Jul 8, 2011 | −22.7% | Aug 8, 2011 | Jan 10, 2012 | 31 days | 6 months |
| Feb 25, 2014 | −21.2% | Apr 14, 2014 | Aug 26, 2014 | 48 days | 6 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
IBB risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +20.1% | +5.7% | +8.4% | +7.8% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 18.8% | 19.8% | 22.0% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.85 | 0.20 | 0.39 | — |
| Sortino ratio | 1.60 | 0.30 | 0.62 | — |
| Best month | +12.4% | +12.4% | +15.1% | +19.4% |
| Worst month | −7.5% | −13.6% | −14.7% | −21.2% |
| Best 12 months | +51.6% | +51.6% | +51.6% | +79.0% |
| Worst 12 months | −10.0% | −27.5% | −29.3% | −48.9% |
| Positive months | 61% | 55% | 56% | 56% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.65 | 0.69 | 0.81 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.43 | 0.58 | 0.63 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
IBB rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 297 | −48.9% | +9.7% | +79.0% | 69% |
| 3-year (a year) | 273 | −9.3% | +6.3% | +44.9% | 78% |
| 5-year (a year) | 249 | −6.1% | +6.2% | +37.0% | 91% |
| 10-year (a year) | 189 | −0.1% | +12.5% | +18.7% | 99% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2001. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
IBB performance overview
iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) returned +34.7% over the past year and +9.1% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2001 it has returned +7.5% a year, turning $10,000 into about $64,429. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −62.8%, from Jun 5, 2001 to Jul 10, 2002, and it took 8.8 years to get back to the old high. IBB finished 18 of its 24 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2013 (+65.5%) and the worst 2002 (−45.8%). Volatility has been 22.0% a year.
Related: IBB chart, IBB holdings, IBB dividends. See the IBB overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
IBB performance FAQ
What is the IBB return over the past year?
IBB returned +34.7% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 34.4%.
What is the average annual return of IBB?
IBB has returned +5.8% a year over 5 years, +9.1% a year over 10 years, +7.5% a year since February 9, 2001 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in IBB be worth?
$10,000 invested in IBB at its first recorded close on February 9, 2001 would be worth about $64,429 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for IBB?
The worst calendar year was 2002, with a total return of −45.8%. The best was 2013 at +65.5%.
What is the biggest drawdown of IBB?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −62.8% between June 5, 2001 and July 10, 2002. It recovered to the old high on April 27, 2011, 8.8 years after the bottom.
How volatile is IBB?
Over the past 3 years IBB had an annualized volatility of 18.6% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.85 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).